On the first floor, according to Xavier, lived Top, the crabby super who stared at everyone as if contemplating murder. Then Adam, a police officer and his two nephews. Xavier thought something had happened to the children’s mother, so Adam had stepped in to care for them. Sam was a cute if a little precocious. Rylan sounded like a handful, but Adam had been decent to talk to.

Then on the second floor, she had Xavier in 2C and quiet, introverted Benji in 2B. According to Xavier, Benji rarely left his apartment except to go to his job at a tech company twice a week. A pleasant yet shy man who liked to keep to himself. She could respect that. And Xavier was...well, Xavier.

On the third floor, the irrepressible Rosie Gallo was subletting to Justine. And across the hall, in 3E, lived Kai Strand—internationally acclaimed children’s book author and her aunt’s best friend. Kai had recently left to vacation in Tuscany with Rosie but would be returning sometime in July.

For now, Justine had the third floor all to herself. Instead of being creeped out at living by herself up there, she felt cozy. Tucked in with TCA’s quirky residents, from the gruff caretaker to the intelligent and friendly Xavier to the intense yet caring Adam, she felt safe nestled among people with their own problems. Everyone too busy to focus on Justine.

As she left the fountain and cooling evening air, she walked up the steps to her unit and entered, still in shock at how much her life had changed since she’d broken up with her ex.

After a shower and dressing in shorts and a simple tee, she made herself a sandwich, cut off all the crusts, and added an unnecessary hot cocoa with marshmallows, just because she could.

She watched a gimmicky sitcom and laughed with the canned audience, feeling like part of the crowd, which then made her feel that much more alone, taking pleasure in fake belonging.

But then, that was kind of her pattern. Her go-to, her aunt liked to say, to seek acceptance and validation from those who would never give it back.

Her father.

Her boss.

Her ex.

All of them determined to refuse her the affection and approval she craved.

Which had her making what would probably be a huge mistake, calling her mother, the woman who would always love Justine more than anyone in the world, or so she said.

“Hey, sweetheart, how are you?” Jeanine Ferrera asked, her voice light, the sound of people in the background hinting at a crowd.

“Oh, sorry. Sounds like you’re busy.” Justine already regretted the urge for motherly comfort.

“Not at all.” Her mother must have moved, because the sound behind her muted. “What are you up to?”

“Just relaxing. It feels great to not have anything to do for once.” I’m bored, Mom. So bored I’m calling you. “What are you up to?”

“A small party for your father’s new business partner. You should see my dress, it’s so cute. I picked it up on Thursday at that boutique downtown I was telling you about.”